Delta State Fisheries Law

1. Citation and application. (1) This Law may be cited as the Delta State Fisheries Law. (2) This law shall apply to all water bodies and fish handling operation and other related matters in the State.

2. Interpretation In this Law - "Appropriate Authority" means a member of the State Government charged with responsibilities for matters relating to agriculture and natural resources; "Closed Season" means any specific period during which fishing is prohibited; "Director of Fisheries" means the officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources charged with the responsibility for matters relating- to fisheriess; "Fisheries" means fish and all aquatic resources in any water body; "Fisheries Officer" means any officer of the Fisheries Department of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources authorised to control fisheries operations in the State; "Fisheries Product" means fish, tray-fish, shell-fish processed fish and other aquatic resources; "Fishing" means the catching, taking or harvesting of fishing products; "Fishing Craft" means any vessel which is used for or equipped to be used for fishing; "Fishing Gear" means the apparatus for taking out fish from water body; "Governor" means the Governor of the State; "State" means the Delta State of Nigeria; "water body" includes rivers, springs, floods, plains, ponds, lakes, artificial lakes and reservoirs."

3. Mesh and fish size prohibition and total allowable catch. (1) No person shall fish with gear constructed with net webbings with less than 3" or 76 mm (stretched) and 2.5" or 65 mm in the case of shrimps, except for? (a) pelagic trawl nets for fresh water Sardines, that is to say clupeids, with an outboard engine of not less than 25HP capable of bperating a trawl net with 3 mm cord end; or (b) lift nets for fresh water sardine constructed with 3-5 mm stretch mesh webbing; (2) No fishing unit shall operate with a single net or a combination of nets exceeding 500 metres of 3" mesh size. (3) A person who contravenes the provisions of sub-sections (1) or (2) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction for - (a) the first offence, to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to a fine of twenty thousand naira or to both and the forfeiture of the net and the catch, (b) the second or subsequent offence, to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or to a fine of fifty thousand naira or to both.

4. Hooks. (1) No person shall use hooks more than size No.10 for fishing. (2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of ten thousand naira or two months imprisonment or to both.

5. Prohibition of unorthodox fishing methods. (1) No person shall use or dump any explosive substance, chemicals, poison, or other noxious matter in or near any water body or use an electrical device to take or destroy fish. (2) Notwithstanding the provision of sub-section (1) of this section, the appropriate authority may permit in writing a person to use any substance in or near any water body for a scientific purpose or for the purpose of protecting, improving or replacing stocks of fish. (3) A person who has in his possession of the materials or equipment's mentioned in sub- section (1) of this section in or around a water body in the State shall be deemed to be possessing them. (4) (a) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (3) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of twenty thousand naira of three months imprisonment or both. (b) If the person commits a second or subsequent offence, he shall liable on conviction to a fine of fifty thousand naira or six months imprisonment or both. .

6. Construction and protection of darns and barriers weir. (1) No person shall - (a) obstruct the free movement of fish by the construction of dams, weirs or other fixed barriers across streams, river, creeks; or (b) direct the control of any water body without permit. (2) Where permit is granted to a person to build dams, weirs or other fixed barriers or obstruction, fish ladders shall be built to ensure free movement of fish.

7. Destruction of dams, floodgates or sluices. No person shall unlawfully or maliciously cut through, break down or otherwise destroy a dam, floodgate or sluice with intent to take or destroy fish.

8. Offence. A person who contravenes the provisions of sections (6) or (7) of this Law commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for one year or to a fine of two hundred thousand naira or to both.

9. Rendition of statistics. (1) An operator or owner of a licensed fishing craft shall: (a) declare his catch to nominated fisheries officer when required; (b) permit a fisheries officer to inspect the catch either before or after it has been landed; and (c) give the fisheries officer all reasonable facilities to inspect the catch. (2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for three months or to a fine of one hundred thousand naira or to both.

10. Protection of fish against contamination and spoilage. (1) No person shall spray pesticides or noxious chemicals on fish and fish products, or sell, offer for sale contaminated or spoilt fish. (2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) of this section commits an offence and; (a) shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to a fine of not more than one hundred thousand naira or to both; (b) the contaminated or spoilt fish shall be destroyed by a fisheries officer with the consent of the Director of Fisheries.

11. Closed water bodies and seasons. (1) The Director of Fisheries may declare closed for a specified period any water bodies or any season if the fisheries is threatened. (2) No person shall fish in water bodies of seasons declared closed for fishing by the Director of Fisheries. (3) A person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or (2) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to a fine of fifty thousand naira or to both.

12. No fishing in water bodies without licence. (1) No person shall take fish from any water body without obtaining a licence from the Director of Fisheries. (2) A person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of twenty thousand naira or to imprisonment for six months or to both.

13. Application for licence. (1) Application for licence shall be submitted in the form specified in the First Schedule to this Law. (2) Upon the payment of the appropriate fees prescribed in the Second Schedule to this law, a licence in form `C' in the Third Schedule to this Law shall be issued to the applicant.

14. Expiration/renewal of licence. (1) A licence issued under this Law shall expire on the 31st day of December, of the year it is issued. (2) A licence may be renewed upon application in accordance with section 13 of this Law. (3) The Director of Fisheries may refuse to issue a licence if, in his opinion, it is in the interest of fisheries to do so.

15. Subsistence fishing exempted. The provisions of sections 12, 13, 14 and 15 shall not apply to a person who does subsistence fishing.

16. Cold stores. (1) A person who owns or operates a coldstore for the purpose of storing or distributing or retailing fish or fish products shall register the coldstore and obtain a licence in accordance with section 13 of this Law. (2) A licence for the construction, installation or operation of coldstore shall not be issued if the applicant does not satisfy the conditions stated in the First Schedule to this Law. (3) A person who owns or operates a coldstore for storing or distributing or retailing fish or fish products without a licence commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for not more than one year or to a fine of one thousand naira or to both the fine and imprisonment. (4) If the offender is a corporate body it shall be liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred thousand naira.

17. Licencing of fishing crafts. (1) No unlicenced fishing craft shall be used in a water body in the State. (2) A person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) of this section shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment of not more than three months or fine of one hundred thousand naira or to both imprisonment and the fine.

18. Application for fishing craft licence. A fishing craft licence shall be granted upon the submission of an application form as in Form C of the First Schedule to this Law and on payment of the prescribed fee in the Second Schedule to this Law.

19. Registration number. (1) A fishing craft licence issued in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of this Law shall have a registration number which shall be engraved or printed on both sides of the craft. (2) A person who owns or operates a fishing craft without the identification number engraved or printed on it commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine of one hundred thousand naira or to both.

20. Transfer of licence. A licence granted under this Law may be transferred by the person to whom it is issued to another person after obtaining the written consent of the Director of Fisheries to do so.

22. Appointment. The appropriate authority may appoint an officer in the Department of Fisheries as Inspector.

23. Functions of inspectors. A person appointed under the provision section 22 of this Law shall have power to (a) carry out regular surveillance of all water bodies; (b) stop a fishing craft or boat for checking particulars and identification mark; (c) stop and check a fisherman for valid fishing licence and registration papers; (d) examine a net for appropriate mesh size and length; (e) inspect fisheries product to detect contamination and spoilage; (f) prescribe sizes of fishing gears so as to conform with the standards set in this Law; (g) prevent the commission of offence under this Law; or (h) arrest without warrant a person who commits an offence under this Law and prosecute such person in a magistrate or customary court.

24. Offences. A person who obstructs an inspector appointed under section 22 from performing the functions imposed on him by section 29 of this Law commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of twenty thousand naira or to two months imprisonment or to both.

25. Ownership of water bodies. Water bodies within the State other than those belonging to a person or a community are hereby vested in the State Government.

26. Access to water bodies. (1) The Government shall have access to all water bodies in the State for fisheries, research and development purposes. (2) For the purposes of sub-section (1) of this Law the consent of the owners of water bodies not owned by the Government shall be obtained and such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

27. Surcharge of offender. (1) Where a person commits an offence under this Law the appropriate authority may instead of taking proceedings against the person in court, surcharge him with a sum of money which shall not be more than the fine prescribed for the offence the offender was convicted by a court. (2) The appropriate authority shall issue a receipt for the money received and pay the money into the State Treasury. (3) If the offender is in custody he shall be released on payment of the surcharge and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of the offence and there upon any instrument which he had forfeited to Government shall be returned to him. (4) Any proceeding pending in court in respect of the offence shall abate.

28. Delegation of power. The appropriate authority or the Director of Fisheries may delegate all or any of the powers conferred upon him by this Law.

29. Regulations. The appropriate authority may make regulations for carrying into effect the provisions of this Law. Schedule 1 DELTA STATE FISHERIES LAW FORM A APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF FISHERIES ACTIVITIES TO: The Commissioner; Ministry of Agriculture And Natural Resources, Asaba. Delta State of Nigeria Application is hereby made under the Fisheries Law for licence to carry out fishing activities. Name of Applicant: ..................................................................................................... Address of Fisherman ................................................................................................. Local Government area;............................................................................................... Location of water body:................................................................................................ Class /Category of Fishing:........................................................................................... Application fee (non-refundable) paid: Receipt No:.............................................................. Amount :N........................................................... ........................................................... Signature of applicant FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Application No....................... Date Received........................................ Receipt No:........................... ................................ Date of inspection..................................... Recommendation:.................................................................................................... No .Assigned ............................................................. Approved /Not approved FORM B APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF A COLDSTORE/FISH DISTRIBUTORS TO: The Commissioner; Ministry of Agriculture And Natural Resources, Fisheries Department, Asaba. Delta State of Nigeria (1) Name of applicant....................................................................................................... (2) Address of applicant (Residential)..................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................. (3)Nature of business (Coldstore owner/Distributor):................................................................... (4)Particulars of business premises are as follows...................................................................... Business address............................................................................................................. Capacity ..............................................(c) Local Govt Area :............................................... (d) make of equipment:...................................................................................................... (e) do you have a generator ?.............................................................................................................................. Horse - Power of generator:................................................................................................. Is it automatic (i.e. does it switch on immediately the public power is off?)........................................ (f) Other facilities available (Deep freezers, etc.): ...................................................................................... (g) Application fee (non-refundable): Rec. No............................................................................................. Amount N........................................................................ ....................................... .......................................... *delete if not applicable. Signature of Applicant. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Application No....................... Date Received........................................ Receipt No:........................... Receiving Officers..................................... Title........................................................................................................................ Recommendation:.................................................................................................... No .Assigned ............................................................. Approved /Not approved FORM C APPLICATION FOR A FISHING CARFT LICENCE The Commissioner; Ministry of Agriculture And Natural Resources, Fisheries Department, Asaba. Delta State Application is hereby made under the Fisheries Law for licence to operate a fishing craft. (1) Name of Applicant:................................................................................................. (2) Address of applicant ............................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................. (3) Owners Fishing Licence No:...................................................................................... (4) Type of Craft (Motorised /paddled):............................................................................ (5) Size of craft (small/ medium /Large)........................................................................... (6) Registration No. of Craft.......................................................................................... (7) Local Government Area: .......................................................................................... Application fee (non-refundable) paid: Receipt No:..............................................................

Amount; N............................................................................... ........................................................... Signature of applicant FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Application No....................... Date Received........................................ Receipt No:........................... Registration/Licence No........................... Receiving Officer:................ Title................................... Recommendation:.................................................................................................... .............................................. Signature of Issuing Officer. FORM D APPLICATION FOR GOVERNMENT JETTY (LANDING) To: The Commissioner; Ministry of Agriculture And Natural Resources, Asaba. Delta State of Nigeria

1. Name of Applicant:...........................................................................................

2. Address (Residential): ...................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................

3. Nature of business (Landing);..............................................................................

4. Owner's fishing Licence No:..............................................................................

5. Type of Craft (motorised/ paddled):......................................................................

6. Size of craft (small/medium/large):.......................................................................

7. Registration No. of Craft:...................................................................................

8. Local Government Area:..................................................................................... Application fee (non-refundable) paid: Receipt No:.............................................................. Amount paid:............................................................................... *delete if not applicable. ........................................................... Signature of applicant FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Application No....................... Date Received........................................ Receipt No:........................... receiving Officer.................................... Title............................................................................................................ Recommendation:.................................................................................................... No .Assigned ............................................................. Approved /Not approved. Schedule 2 DELTA STATE FISHERIES LAW REGISTRATION FEES

1. CLASS A: SMALL-SCALE FISHING (a) Fisherman using non-motorised canoe, with nets and /or hooks, not more than 100metres in length. (b) Any other methods such as cane fishing traps, fencing etc.Amount N1000 per annum. ClASS B: COMMERCIAL FISHING (a) Fisherman using motorised craft and fishing nets and /or hooks between 100 metres and 500 metres in length (b) Fishing for pelagic fish shoals; e.g "bonga" 'Sardinella'etc. (c) Crayfish fishing. (d) Pen and cage fishing. Amount: N5000:00 per annum. CLASS C: OTHERS (a) Fishing in restricted water bodies: e.g lakes, Reservoir, etc. .........................................................Amount N10,000:00 per annum. (b) Festival Fishing .......................................Amount N20, 000:00 per annum. (c) Sport fishing ..........................................Amount N2,000:00 per annum. (d) Fencing "Uwe fishing " ..............................Amount N2,000:00 per annum.

2. TRAWLERS' LANDING FEE (GOVERNMENT JETTY) (a) 20m-25'm ..........................................Amount N1,000:00 per day. (b) 26'm and above .........................................Amount N2,000:00 per day

3. COLD STORES (a) 0-9 tonne capacity.........................................N5,000.00 per annum (b) 10-49 tonne capacity .....................................N6,000.00 -do - (c) 50-100 tonne capacity....................................N8,000:00 per annum (d) Above 100 tonne capacity................................N10,000:00 - do -

4. DISTRIBUTION OF FISH/FISH PRODUCTS FEES (a) Licence and registration for distribution N5,000 per annum. PADDLE CANOE (a) Small 100'-15"...............................................N500.00 per annum (b) Medium 15'-20'...............................................N1,000:00 -do- (c) Large 20' and above...........................................N1,500:00-do MOTORISED CRAFT (a) Small 10'-15..........................................N1,000:00 per annum (b) Medium 15'-20'......................................N2,000:00 -do- (c) Large 20'- and above................................N3,000:00 -do- Schedule 3 DELTA STATE FISHERIES LAW FORM A LICENCE FOR FISHING ACTIVITIES Name of Licence Holder:.............................................................................................. Address:.................................................................................................................. Class/Category of fishing;............................................................................................. Licence fee paid:........................................................................................................ Fishing method:......................................................................................................... Period of permit:........................................................................................................ Expiry date:.............................................................................................................. Area of Operation:...................................................................................................... Water body:.............................................................................................................. .............................................. Director of Fisheries For; Hon Commissioner, M.A.N.R., Delta State. MADE AT ....................................THIS........................DAY OF...................20................ FORM B1 LICENCE FOR OPERATION OF COLDROOM Name of Holder:....................................................................................................... Address:................................................................................................................. Licence No:............................................................................................................ Effective date:.............................................Expiry date:............................................. Capacity of coldroom:................................Licence Fee Paid:......................................... The Coldstore situate at : ............................................................................................. In the ...................................................................................Government Area of Delta State belonging to ..............................................................................has been inspected and I duly registered to operate as a coldstore of ....................................................capacity for the purpose of distribution and retailing of fish products for human consumption. .............................................. Director of Fisheries For; Hon. Commissioner, M.A.N.R., Delta State. FORM C1 FISHING CRAFT LICENCE STATION:.................................................................................................................. Name of owner:.......................................................................................................... Address:.................................................................................................................. Expiry date:.............................................................................................................. Fishing Craft Registration No:....................................................................................... Licence fee: N .....................................Make of Vehicle................................................ Type of body ............................................................................................................ Number of fishermen authorised to carry................................................................................. .............................................. Director of Fisheries For; Hon Commissioner, M.A.N.R, Delta State. ................................................ (stamp) FORM D1 APPROVAL FOR USE OF JETTY Name of User:............................................................................................................ Address:.................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

Fee paid :................................................Receipt No................................................... Period of usage:.................................... Expiry date..................................................... Location of Jetty: ...................................................................................................... Made at Asaba this .................................day of ........................20............................... .............................................. Director of Fisheries For; Hon Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Delta State.